After the outbreak, Wolfgang and his brother were attacked in their home. Rico was bitten and transformed, and infected Wolfgang when the latter tried to pull him to safety. After the two united with the group led by Jack, they became his two most effective scouts. After the duo's encounter with Brian's group, Wolfgang and Rico came away burned and wounded.

Later, after taking an uninfected man prisoner, Wolfgang began to realize the futility of Jack's efforts, and saw that global domination was next to impossible.

The day of the eclipse, Mark advised Wolfgang and Rico to flee Chicago due to the firebombing. Wolfgang soon saw that Mark was betraying Jack. He informed Rico, who started to leave to tell Jack. However, Mark lashed out and tore Rico's throat. Mark then threatened Wolfgang into silence. After Mark left, Wolfgang left Chicago.

Near the end of the novel, Wolfgang is shown to be leading the survivng wolves to the Tenessee safe zone. He showed up to protect Jack and Brian from a soldier. He lunged and mauled the soldier, telling the two to run. He ran off, and was not seen again for the remainder of Part 5.

Twenty-eight years later, Wolfgang leads what remains of the Pack, and is the second Alpha. He is still loyal to Jack, despite the fact that he is human, and maintains peace between the humans and the wolves.